American Desiderata (after Desiderata by Max Ehrmann–see Links)

Go rollerblading amid the noise and haste,
and remember what gains there may be in suing.
As far as possible without surrender
be politically correct.
Speak your truth loudly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant:
they too have their talk shows.

Avoid privacy and thoughtful persons,
they are too intense.
If you compare yourself with others,
you will diet harder and get breast implants:
For never may there be “less-er” or “great-er” persons than yourself.
Enjoy the hotdog as well as the game.

Keep interested in your own career
however many eighty-hour weeks you work;
it is a real possession when you no longer have a life.
Exercise caution in your private affairs;
for the world is full of Tripp-ery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive to get Saddam
and everywhere the world is full of McDonalds.

Be yourself, dude.
Especially proclaim yourself on bumper stickers and T-shirts.
Neither be cynical about L.A.;
for in the midst of all the smog and gang warfare,
Hollywood is as perennial as the grass.

Kick and scream against the counsel of the years,
get as many facelifts as it takes: old people suck.
Nurture a good relationship with your therapist
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are borne out of knowing too much about Geography.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be a flake.

You are a child of the Universe,
no less than junk mail
and those little plastic fast-food antenna caps;
You have the Right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt business is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with Elvis,
whatever you conceive him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy confusion of life
make it to your spinning class on time.

With all its sham, deception, and broken dreams
America is still the greatest democracy on earth
Be cheerful.
Strive to be a teenager.

Copyright Iole Damaskinos 2005